Okay so this hasn't really gotten a lot of support but I figured I'd post another chapter and see how it goes so here it is. And remember if you like it or have any thoughts at all please please review.

Chapter 2 – Landing

Lyra's POV

The air ship landed gently at the base of the mountain and an icy wind made Lyra's hair dance wildly. She pulled up her hood and tucked Pan inside. Going to the low door at the side of the ship she opened it to step onto the snow covered ground.

Suddenly Iorek was beside her. "You don't have to come with me" She said.

He turned his large furry head to look at her. "Yes, but I want to. There could still be traps anywhere" He said and turned forward again. He was right. She couldn't trust anyone, not even her uncle…well father. There could very well be traps and other dangers. All she was sure of were the friends she had made along the way. The friends who had proven themselves. Like Iorek. Needing to feel a small bit of comfort Lyra silently stroked his side.

"Let's go" She said and they walked on.

Iorek's POV

The entire journey to the hide out Lyra kept her hand on his pelt and it was hard for Iorek to focus on the task at hand. That small gesture meant she had come to him for comfort, even if she did not fully realize it. Unfortunately the trek was not long enough to offer to carry her though he would have been more than happy to have done so.

Finally, they came upon a door, well hidden but easy enough to find if you knew where to look, which Lyra did. She paused for a moment as she weighed in her mind the events that were to come.

Iorek could sense her unease, the emotions stirring because of the betrayal and lies. He turned his head to the side and nudged her gently. It snapped her from her haze and she smiled at him and nodded once to convey she was ready.

She gripped the handle and pushed open the door.

Lyra's POV

It was a bit surprising that the door was unlocked and opened so easily. Tentatively she stepped inside. A long narrow hallway led down into the mountain. She began to walk down the path but then turned to face her friendly bear. "Can you fit?" She asked.

He huffed in response and stepped inside. "Move along" He said. She chuckled softly at his bruised pride. She imagined he would blame the thick fur if she pressed the issue. Without another word she continued on down through the darkness.

The hallway was black, lit only by the intervaled torch light. After many minutes of walking they came to another door. Lyra raised a hand and knocked on the door. The sound echoed through the long passageway and the silence that followed was unnerving.

But then the door opened and there stood a calm Lord Asriel. "Lyra" was all he said at first. She could hear the relief in his voice and his tone managed to reprimand her at the same time.

"I've brought you what you need" She said and finally he smiled.

"Please come inside." He said and stepped back to allow them to enter. His eyes widened a bit as Iorek stepped inside.

Lyra took a seat and Iorek lay down at her feet. Asriel began to make some tea and during the awkward silence Lyra once more stroked the soft fur on Iorek's neck. He didn't complain so she took it that he didn't mind all that much.

Eventually Asriel sat down opposite her and Lyra folded her hands in her lap. "It is good to see you safe" He began, but Lyra wasn't the kind of person to beat around the bush.

"Why did you never tell me?" She asked. He sighed.

"I thought it was best in the begging to keep you hidden from not only the Magisterium but also from the truth. And when you were older… I just never found the right moment to tell you. It was easier to go with the lie and I guess I took the easy way out." His words only made her angry.

"The easy way out. You left me to feel abandoned and alone. Do you think that was easy for me? You complain about my wild behavior and how I don't do as I'm told and you wonder why." She shook her head. What would anger solve? She had dreamt of a father for so long and now that she found him she wanted to take all her dreaming back. "Anyway I have the compass." She said bringing her bag forward.

"Lyra" He said. It was plain to see he wanted to talk more about what happened between them but she really didn't know how to deal with the situation.

"Compass" She responded. He sighed and then nodded.

"Alright." Lyra pulled out the compass and passed it to Asriel. "Thank you" He said politely.

"Do you need anything else?" She asked.

"Lyra as far as I know you're the only one who can read it" He said. "That means I need you to stay, to help with my research and with the truth."

"What? No. I've almost died already. I wanted adventure and I can still find that. I didn't want to have anything to do with this revolution." Iorek reached his head back to rub against her and she began patting him again. It really helped calm her though she wasn't exactly sure why. Pan slipped out of her jacket at that point and crawled down to also pat her hand. She smiled down at her demon.

Asriel eyed the ice bear. Rumors had spread and if they were right then this was also the king of the ice bears, reclined in his temporary home, comforting his daughter, who was currently very upset with him.

Iorek's POV

Iorek did not like how her father was handling the situation. He could sense Lyra's distress and he was not pleased with Adriel's incompetence. And then after essentially saying that he was too lazy to take responsibility for his child, he tried to rope her into a potential war.

Iorek reached his head back to find Lyra and rub against her in hope of reassuring her. She was still just a child, didn't the man realize that? Iorek was happy when Pan joined in on the comforting.

"Look just stay the night and rest and we can talk about this tomorrow alright? Just think about how important this is and how much you can help" He stood up and walked over to a side door. Iorek could see that inside was a bedroom.

"Well…" Lyra said.

"Just one night." He insisted. She nodded.

"Alright" Asriel smiled.

"Here, I have a transmitter so the others will know your safe. I'm sure there are more with you," Lyra nodded.

"Thank you" She got up and went over to the device and sent a message to Lee. Iorek followed her movements, still concerned for her. Pan had remained and crawled onto Iorek's shoulder.

"She will be alright Iorek"

"I never said I was concerned Pan" The little creature laughed.

"You didn't need to say anything. You're looking at her in that way." Pan said, sounding wise beyond his years.

"In what way? What is that supposed to mean little one" Iorek asked.

"Oh nothing… but for the record I approve. Just remember Lyra is my human and I'll be watching." And with that he leapt off to follow Lyra who stepped toward the bedroom.

"Wait where will Iorek sleep?" She asked concerned. Iorek felt touched that she worried about him.

"I'll be fine right here Lyra. Go on and get some sleep." She nibbled on her lower lip for a moment, thinking and then shook her head.

"You've done so much for me Iorek, you deserve much more than the floor. Come with me." She said motioning for him to follow.

Feeling uncertain, he got to his feet and followed Lyra just as she asked. When he had slipped inside Lyra closed the door behind them.

Iorek lay down beside the bed and watched Lyra pace back and forth. Pan paced beside her.

"Will you stay with him?" He finally asked. Lyra's head snapped up.

"I don't know. I don't want to, but what if he's right. What if I'm the only one who can read it?" Her voice sounded burdened, heavy, tired.

Iorek gestured towards the bed. "Get some sleep. You'll feel better after you have rested." She nodded but instead of crawling onto the bed she sat down besides Iorek and snuggled into his fur. His head tilted in pleasant confusion. "What are you doing?"He asked.

"Getting some sleep like you said." She answered.

"I mean, why aren't you on the bed?" She shrugged.

"You're more comfortable. And it's not fare that I get a bed and you don't." Deep within him Iorek felt a tug, a momentary burst of an emotion he hadn't felt before. A feeling that was so alien to him that he couldn't identify it. But he knew that he liked having Lyra curled up against him. He like feeling her soft breath rustle his fur. He liked the way her ear was placed so close to his heart to listen to its beat.

This time when the urge came he gave into it and reached back to rub his nose against her cheek. She smiled when he did so and a slight giggle escaped. The rare sound was so adorable he couldn't hold back a happy smile of his own.

"I'm going to take the whole bed if you two don't get up here right now" Teased Pan. Iorek lifted his face to look at the little creature in awe. He looked back down at the snuggling Lyra.

"Would you move to the bed if I came with you." She lifted her head to look at him and nodded.

"That would be fair" She said. He rubbed his snout against her cheek again and then with a large paw, pushed her towards the edge of the bed. She climbed up and waited.

Iorek felt uneasy about the situation but got up regardless and climbed onto the bed. It creaked under his massive weight as it was meant for humans but it held and once more he lay down and once more Lyra moved over to him and snuggled against him.

Iorek moved one paw to drape over her waist and to hold her to him while the other paw acted as a soft pillow for her.

"Thank you for standing by me Iorek" Lyra whispered tiredly. He reached his head down to give her cheek the smallest lick. She giggled and curled up.

"You are welcome my Lyra" She made not correction to calling her his and he was glad. It had slipped. He didn't know where it had come from but now that it was out he liked the sound of it. Her breathing deepened and became even.

Iorek relaxed against the pillows and thought, could she really be his?